We Ain't Got No History - 2015-16 Premier League, Match 28: Norwich City vs. ChelseaChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2016-03-02T08:11:00+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/109072852016-03-02T08:11:00+00:002016-03-02T08:11:00+00:00Hiddink: Europe is the new target
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<p>Full speed ahead to Europa!</p> <p>Amazing what a few wins in a row can do for confidence. Halfway through round 28 of this year's ridiculously silly Premier League season, we find ourselves in 8th spot. Depending on how results go later today, we might be back down to 11th by tonight, but at worst, we will still only be 7 points behind 6th place. There are 10 matches to go; European ambitions are suddenly once again viable.</p>
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<p>"Now with the ambition of <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> we must set a new target and see what we can do in the direction of Europe. We have now won a few games in a row. We have to keep on winning. If everyone is on board and there are no big injuries, we'd like to go as high as possible towards the European spots."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Guus Hiddink; source: <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10188530/hiddink-aiming-for-europe">Sky</a></p>
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<p>When Mourinho was sacked in December, Chelsea were 1 point above the relegation zone. We're now 15 points above and our form is second best only to title favorites*, and I can't believe I'm saying this, <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tottenham Hotspur</a>. There's another winnable game coming up this weekend, at home to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Stoke City</a>.</p>
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<p>"[The momentum] is important. Everyone knows how we started in December -- we were down almost in the relegation zone. We had an immediate target to get as soon as possible out of that zone and we did that with draws, and now we are winning games in a row. That's encouraging."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Guus Hiddink; source: <a href="http://www.espnfc.com/chelsea/story/2819619/guus-hiddink--chelsea-sloppiness-led-to-battle-at-norwich">ESPN</a></p>
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<p>Europa League, <a href="http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11137568/chelsea-should-make-every-effort-to-qualify-for-the-europa-league">here we come</a>!</p>
<p><i><b>* </b>jinx</i></p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/2/11145038/chelsea-europa-league-ambitionDavid Pasztor2016-03-01T23:06:02+00:002016-03-01T23:06:02+00:00Norwich 1 - 2 Chelsea: Match report
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<p>Chelsea set a new Premier League record last season, spending a grand total of 274 days atop the league table. On Tuesday, the Blues moved back into the top half of that table for the first time since August, holding on to defeat relegation-threatened <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Norwich City</a> by a 2-1 score.</p>
<p>Throughout the title-winning 2014/15 season and the awful start to the current campaign, former manager Jose Mourinho stuck to the same basic lineup, only making changes when required due to suspension or injury. Rotation was something for other, lesser clubs, and youth were only entrusted with rare appearances in the League Cup, or 30-second, time wasting cameos when Premier League matches were in the bag.</p>
<p>Guus Hiddink has paid the same sort of lip service to rotation and playing the youth, but with a crucial match against PSG coming in eight days time, the interim manager surprised quite a few with his starting eleven. Out were Chelsea regulars <span>John Obi Mikel</span> and Willian, both of whom were rested ahead of knockout ties in the coming weeks. In their places, we saw an opportunity for Nemanja Matic to shake off some rust, and for Bertrand Traore to make his first Premier League start.</p>
<p>Traore wasn't the only youngster given a chance by Hiddink, though, as Baba Rahman was left out of the eleven following his rough showing over the weekend. In his place, Guus went with Kenedy, who has been struggling to find any minutes in a more advanced position, but hasn't looked any worse than one would expect a non-defender to look when thrust in at left back.</p>
<p>Thirty-nine seconds into the match, Guus Hiddink looked like a genius.</p>
<p>Chelsea have spent the better part of the past 15 years looking lethal on the counter, and Tuesday's opener was a textbook example of decisive counter-attacking play. When Traore gained possession inside of <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> half, he calmly tapped the ball to Cesc Fabregas in space, who didn't need a second touch to set <span>Eden Hazard</span> free. Hazard then played the ball wide to Kenedy, who did something Chelsea players have rarely done this season, running straight at the heart of the defense, thus forcing them to make quick decisions.</p>
<p>The Brazilian cut in from the left, running right by the Norwich fullback, who promptly passed the youngster off to his teammates. Once inside the fullback, however, the 20-year old switched the ball back to his preferred left foot, before firing a low rocket past the diving <span>John Ruddy</span> into the corner of the net. It was the Blues' fastest goal this season, and the first ever Premier League strike for Kenedy.</p>
<p>I'd have expected the early goal to quiet some nerves for Chelsea, but instead, we were treated to a chaotic first thirty minutes of end to end stuff. Chelsea came close on quite a few occasions, but their final balls were often just a bit off the mark, or on the occasions in which they were perfect, a loose touch would let Chelsea down. Norwich, meanwhile, were being undone by the awful finishing of Cameron Jerome, who had several excellent opportunities to level the match that he wasted in hilarious fashion.</p>
<p>Midway through the first half, referee Lee Mason gave the home fans a reason to boo. When a <span>Gary Cahill</span> pass (apparently) took the the slightest of deflections off of Jerome, <span>Thibaut Courtois</span> took a few touches before picking it up and starting the attack. It looked to be a pretty questionable decision, but unlike basically every call early in the season, this one went in Chelsea's favor.</p>
<p>The back pass wasn't the only bad refereeing decision in the first half, as the Blues got a controversial second goal just before the whistle. When Traore took possession following a Chelsea throw in the Norwich end, the Canaries' back line stepped up, leaving <span>Diego Costa</span> well offside. Fortunately, the linesman missed this very easy call, and when Traore's pass left the forward one on one with Ruddy, he calmly chipped home to send the Blues to the break with a two goal advantage.</p>
<p>Hiddink made no changes to start the second half, but after a very lackluster start, the interim manager decided to turn to a pair of trusted veterans. Mikel and Willian were both brought on at the hour mark, with Traore and Oscar making way. Unfortunately, the Blues remained on the back foot, and <span>Nathan Redmond</span> made it 2-1 with just over 20 minutes left to play.</p>
<p>Guus used his final substitution in hopes of tightening up the defense, ironically bringing Baba on for makeshift left back, Kenedy. While that change didn't help Chelsea find any more urgency, or take control of the match, they managed to hang on thanks to some more sloppy finishing, and a pair of nice stops from Thibaut Courtois.</p>
<p>With the win, the Blues now sit eighth in the Premier League table, though they could drop back to eleventh depending on results tomorrow. Far more importantly, the victory puts Chelsea 15 points ahead of 18th-placed Norwich, and with the Champions League places still well out of reach, leaves Hiddink with very little reason not to continue rotating the squad, and giving more chances to the youth.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11142800/chelsea-hang-on-to-beat-norwich-city-thanks-to-controversial-diegoStephen Schmidt2016-03-01T22:59:32+00:002016-03-01T22:59:32+00:00Kenedy was substituted because of groin injury
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> third substitution in the 2-1 win over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich City</a>, immediately after Norwich scored their goal, was a bit of an odd one.</p>
<p>Hiddink, normally, so reluctant to use up all his subs, emptying his hand with over 20 minutes still to play was surprising, as was the fact that he brought on Baba Rahman as an ostensibly defensive change for young Kenedy. While Kenedy is hardly a left back, Baba's defense was strongly questioned, to put it mildly, just a few days ago in the game against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chelsea sub that was due to happen before that goal - Baba Rahman is on for Kenedy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFCLive?src=hash">#CFCLive</a></p>
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/704776330840285184">March 1, 2016</a>
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<p>It turns out the substitution had nothing to do with any of that. Kenedy had picked up an injury.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Guus says a full intense 90 minutes was good for Hazard. He took Kenedy off due to what is hopefully only a small groin injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash">#CFC</a></p>
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/704793163295277056">March 1, 2016</a>
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<p>So that's rather unfortunate timing once again, with another in-form player making an impact (<a href="http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11141192/kenedy-scores-first-premier-league-goal-40-seconds-into-norwich-match">lovely opening goal today</a>) and then picking up an injury. Pedro is set to miss at least one more match and now Kenedy will be sidelined for at least a short while as well. Groin injuries, just like hamstring injuries -- or any lower body soft tissue strain like that -- can be annoyingly difficult to properly recover from.</p>
<p>So, hopefully, it is indeed nothing major. Baba isn't going to get better if he doesn't get to play and Kenedy's talents are surely better utilized further upfield. And a depleted squad with a suddenly busy schedule is never a good thing.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11143342/guus-hiddink-explains-kenedy-substitutionDavid Pasztor2016-03-01T21:39:27+00:002016-03-01T21:39:27+00:00Norwich City 1-2 Chelsea: React & Rate
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<p>Chelsea were decidedly less impressive in the second half than in the first, just going through the motions and seeing out the win with the least amount of effort possible.</p>
<p>Good enough in the end. Three points. Job done.</p>
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<li>A goal for Kenedy, an assist for Traore. The youth!</li>
<li>Despite all the hand-wringing, Baba still seems to be ahead of Kenedy when defense at left back is required.</li>
<li>No debut for Pato as Hiddink tried to arrest <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> lackadaisical second half play with proven quantities Mikel & Willian instead. Not sure it worked to plan.</li>
<li>Improved performance from Eden, so we can once again lament the fact that he doesn't shoot.</li>
<li>Hard luck for <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Norwich</a> with a couple key decisions. Poor performances from both linemen.</li>
<li>Chelsea are up to 8th, for now, though all three of Watford, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Stoke City</a> have a chance to overtake us tomorrow.</li>
<li>10th win of the season -- for the first time all season, we have more wins than losses in the Premier League! 13 unbeaten as well now in the league. Next up: Stoke City on Saturday.</li>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11142006/norwich-city-1-2-chelsea-premier-league-post-match-reactionDavid Pasztor2016-03-01T20:36:45+00:002016-03-01T20:36:45+00:00Diego Costa nets Chelsea's second with a little luck<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/TheCostaGloves/status/704766738064392192/video/1">Diego Costa nets Chelsea's second with a little&nbsp;luck</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Offside? Probably. Not our problem, though...</p></p></div>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11141542/diego-costa-nets-chelseas-second-with-a-little-luckRob Usry2016-03-01T20:36:00+00:002016-03-01T20:36:00+00:00Norwich City vs. Chelsea: Second half thread
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<p>2-0 to the good guys.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> started as brightly as can be, and took the lead within a minute of kick-off courtesy of a wonderful Kenedy run and strike. And then we almost scored a couple more, before the early impetus petered out. Then <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich</a> grew into the game and we've had a mostly even affair ever since.</p>
<p>It shouldn't be an even affair, but Chelsea are making silly errors at a regular clip to help the hosts. Matic and Courtois are routinely giving the ball away (and in the latter's case probably getting away with picking up a back pass, too) and Cahill & Ivanovic are trying their level best to make Cameron Jerome look dangerous.</p>
<p>On the bright side, Kenedy is fun (if not exactly a left back), Traore looks good (except for one bad heavy touch that destroyed a great chance), and even <span>Eden Hazard</span> has made several good contributions. Norwich are doing everything in their power to foul and obstruct and get away with fouling and obstructing, but Chelsea have still managed to carve out several decent opportunities and combinations. And we're getting lucky as well, with the aforementioned back-pass call and <span>Diego Costa</span> being offside for our second goal.</p>
<p>More of the same and we've got this in the bag.</p>
<p>UP THE CHELS!</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11141250/norwich-city-vs-chelsea-premier-league-second-half-reportDavid Pasztor2016-03-01T19:52:58+00:002016-03-01T19:52:58+00:00Kenedy scores first Premier League goal 40 seconds into Norwich match<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/TheCostaGloves/status/704755214553903104/video/1">Kenedy scores first Premier League goal 40 seconds into Norwich&nbsp;match</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Unbelievable!</p></p></div>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11141192/kenedy-scores-first-premier-league-goal-40-seconds-into-norwich-matchRob Usry2016-03-01T18:48:00+00:002016-03-01T18:48:00+00:00Norwich City vs. Chelsea: Lineups & Game thread
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<p>Feels like a lifetime ago...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It was on this day last year that we beat Tottenham 2-0 at Wembley to win the Capital One Cup! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash">#CFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/xkh0uYpykD">pic.twitter.com/xkh0uYpykD</a></p>
— <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/704623091469701120">March 1, 2016</a>
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<p>Slightly more pedestrian task at hand, but no less important at this very moment, beating <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Norwich City</a>.</p>
<p>Make it so.</p>
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<p><b>Norwich City starting lineup (3-4-3):</b><br>John Ruddy | Timm Klose, Russell Martin (c), Ryan Bennett | Robbie Brady, Jonny Howson, Alexander Tettey, Ivo Pinto | Wes Hoolahan, Cameron Jerome, Nathan Redmond</p>
<p><i>Substitutes from:</i> Declan Rudd, Dieumerci Mbokani, Matt Jarvis, Grahan Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu, Martin Olsson, Gary O'Neil.</p>
<p><b>Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1):</b><br>Thibaut Courtois | Kenedy, Branislav Ivanovic (c), Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta | Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas | Eden Hazard, Oscar, Bertrand Traore | Diego Costa</p>
<p><i>Substitutes from: </i> Asmir Begovic, Baba Rahman, John Obi Mikel, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Alexandre Pato, Loic Remy</p>
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<p id="paragraph7"><b>Date / Time: </b>Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 19:45 GMT; 2:45pm EST; 1:15am IST (next day)<br><b>Venue: </b>Carrow Road, Norwich, England<br><b>Referee: </b>Lee Mason<br><b>Forecast:</b> Chance of showers late.<br><b>On TV: </b><i>none</i> (UK); Premier League Extra Time (USA); Star Sports 1 / HD 1 (India); <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1614125/norwich-city-vs-chelsea/" data-ref-index="15" style="background-color: #ffffff;">elsewhere</a><br><b>Live steaming: </b><a href="http://plstream4.nbcsports.com/" data-ref-index="16" style="background-color: #ffffff;">NBC Sports Live Extra</a>, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (USA); Star Sports (India); ChelseaTV (int'l; radio)</p>
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<p>As expected, Kenedy gets a start at left back just like the first time we played Norwich, and Bertrand Traore gets his full debut, albeit at right wing rather than striker. And Pato's on the bench! It's all happening.</p>
<p>(And no Naismith for Norwich!)</p>
<p>COME ON, CHELSEA!</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/3/1/11140638/norwich-city-vs-chelsea-premier-league-confirmed-lineupsDavid Pasztor